C. difficile: Its Place in the Gut Microbiome

Clostridium difficile is commonly found at low levels in the adult gut microbiome and won’t usually cause issues, except for some more aggressive strains [1]. However, C. difficile can become a serious issue after long courses of antibiotics, after which it can grow to very high levels in the gut leading to diarrhea and sometimes severe dehydration [2]. This is particularly an issue for elderly or immunocompromised people in hospitals but it is worth checking after any exposure to antibiotics as C. difficile can be difficult to treat once it has become established at high levels in the gut [3], [4].

We consider low or undetectable levels of C. difficile to be optimum. The best way to combat C. difficile is to encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria that will outcompete them for resources. Using foods that are rich in dietary fiber, along with certain herbal supplements, has been shown to help manage C. Difficile levels [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10]. (Adapted from Tiny Health)